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Putting Feet First

The campaign

There are more than 20 leg, foot or toe amputations each day due to diabetes. This is shocking, especially as four out of five of these amputations are preventable. This is where the Putting Feet First campaign comes in. We want to bring an end to the thousands of potentially preventable amputations affecting people with diabetes.

Know your risk of developing foot problems and make sure that you are referred if necessary.

Ask someone to assess the feeling in your toes by doing the Touch the Toes test.

Keep useful numbers handy, and know who to contact at the first sign of problems with your feet.

Janet's story

Janet was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 12. Janet lost her leg when she was 40 and is campaigning so no one has to share her experience of an amputation. Since then she's met her MP, spoken to the media and helped our national 135 shoes campaign.

Alison's story

Alison was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 9. She developed foot problems after working at the Olympics in 2012. After having a toe amputated she started campaigning for better foot care. She's raised the issue with her local MP and spoken on TV about amputations.

Pat's story

Pat developed an ulcer which led to a serious infection and later a toe amputation. She feels that better care could have saved her toe. This is why she has campaigned with Diabetes UK for better local care, raising the issue with her local NHS bosses and persuading them to invest more in foot care.

Roy's story

Roy has had Type 1 diabetes for 51 years. He has had five toes amputated in total, the first in 2003. Roy’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 in 2013 and this motivated him to campaign for better care. Since then he’s spoke in Parliament, worked with his local MP and attended our campaign events.